With a nod to the great work of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com have launched azcentral studio concerts, where a local Phoenix and/or Arizona band stops by the video studio play a couple songs in a mini-concert and chat with music critic Ed Masley.

Dadadoh

Phoenix rapper DaDadoh released his first full-length album, "Radical," and stopped by the azcentral.com studio to talk music, fun and comedy with music critic Ed Masley. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com

DaDadoh dropped by the office to perform two selections from "RADICAL," an alternative hip-hop album he released last year that definitely made the most of the local Phoenix rapper's decision to lighten the mood of his previous work. And as long as we had his attention, we took the opportunity to ask a few questions about the making of the album and how getting into standup comedy (as Bryan Preston) helped contribute to the vibe of this one.

The Senators

CLOSE

Local Phoenix band the Senators play a couple songs off their new album and talk to music critic Ed Masley about the inspiration behind it. Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral.com

Captain Squeegee

CLOSE

Local Phoenix band Captain Squeegee stopped by the azcentral.com video studio to show off a few songs and chat about their new video and future plans with music critic Ed Masley on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Shiny pants were involved.

Naturally, we took that as a sign that we should go behind the scenes a bit on the creation of their first collaboration with director Freddie Paull, who puts the focus squarely on lead singer Danny Torgersen, as he makes his way from the set of a TV reality show audition to the depths of hell.

The Haymarket Squares

CLOSE

Phoenix-based "punkgrass" band the Haymarket Squares perform a few songs and chat with music critic Ed Masley as part of our azcentral studio concerts series on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. Video: Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral.com

When they stopped by azcentral.com for the filming of this mini-concert, they ignored the new album – hey, they never claimed to be capitalists – and reached back to 2010 for “Gateway Drug,” in which they memorably spoof the reefer madness of the War on Drugs with: "It leads to laughter / It leads to tears / It leads to scholarly discussions 'bout the songs of Britney Spears."

Brandon Decker of decker.

CLOSE

By the time he finished touring "Patsy," Brandon Decker thought it might be fun to "make some rock and roll." Decker stopped by azcentral in August to play a couple songs and talk with our Ed Masley.
Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral.com

Decker decided he wanted to make some rock and roll, which resulted in “Snake River Blues,” his new album.

There's no mistaking Decker's vision on “The Holy Ghost,” the new album’s relentless lead single and opening track, for which director Matty Steinkamp shot a great new video. The single rocks with both conviction and a ghostly sense of atmosphere, arriving at some sort of gothic rockabilly swagger with a trembling lead vocal from Decker and excellent use of dynamics from Hoag. It feels a little the Bad Seeds or maybe the Gun Club channeling Jerry Lee Lewis. To Decker's ears, it's more Chuck Berry. But the point remains, it rocks.

Corey Kent White

Corey Kent White from Season 8 of NBC's "The Voice" stopped by the azcentral.com studio to perform "Long Way." He was in town for his Folds of Honor Tour. which provides educational support to spouses and children of America's fallen and wounded soldiers.